A residence by modernist architect R. M. Schindler has returned to the market following a multi-phase restoration, bringing renewed attention to a 1940 work that once faced the risk of demolition. Located in Woodland Hills, the house, originally commissioned for Albert Van Dekker, reflects a period in Schindler’s career where his architectural language had moved towards a more personal and site-responsive direction.
Set within a quiet residential neighbourhood in Los Angeles, the three-level home spans approximately 3,756ft2, a relatively large footprint within Schindler’s body of work. Its reappearance follows a trajectory that moves from neglect and near demolition to preservation and careful rehabilitation, offering a rare instance of a restored modernist residence re-entering circulation.
A 1940 design shaped by site and spatial sequencing
Developed during the midpoint of Schindler’s career, the residence reflects his approach to aligning built form with landscape and climate. The plan adopts an L-shaped configuration set along a diagonal axis, a move that reorganises how the house engages with its site while opening up usable outdoor areas and extending views from within.
Entry into the house is intentionally modest, leading into a double-height living space that introduces a sense of vertical scale. A loft overlooks this central area, reinforcing a layered spatial arrangement rather than a series of enclosed rooms. Across the interior, built-in elements form part of the architecture itself, with wood surfaces continuing across walls, doors and cabinetry to create a consistent material language.
Stone is used extensively both inside and outside, contributing to continuity between interior spaces and external areas. The house incorporates a range of openings, including sliding wooden panels, clerestory glazing and irregularly shaped windows that respond to the geometry of the structure. Enclosed porches, a balcony and a patio extend the living environment beyond the interior.
Restoration after years of deterioration and risk
The current condition of the residence follows a period in which its future was uncertain. By 2009, the property had deteriorated significantly, with missing copper roof panels, water damage and boarded windows indicating prolonged neglect. At that stage, the possibility of demolition had become a real concern.
Subsequent efforts led to the designation of the house as a Historic-Cultural Monument, providing a framework for its preservation. Restoration was carried out in multiple phases by successive owners, focusing on recovering original architectural elements while addressing structural and material damage.
Built-in furniture and interior details were restored, and the copper roof was reconstructed panel by panel. Windows were repaired or replaced with attention to the original configuration, allowing natural light to re-enter spaces that had previously been sealed. More recent updates have introduced discreet solar panels, aligning the house with current performance expectations without altering its character.
A rare instance within Schindler’s residential work
Among the defining elements of the residence is its asymmetrical copper-panelled roof, an uncommon feature within Schindler’s projects and the only known example of such material use in his work. This roof form informs the geometry of the building, influencing the shape and placement of openings across the façade.
Within its neighbourhood, the house stands apart both in form and in architectural lineage. Its return to the market brings forward a restored example of early Californian modernism that had once faced potential loss, now maintained through preservation measures and subsequent interventions.
The property is currently listed through Rodeo Realty.
